SINGAPORE: The Singapore government ordered the Israeli Embassy in the Lion Country to delete “completely unacceptable” Facebook posts about Palestine.
On Sunday (24 March), the Israeli Embassy’s official Facebook account posted a claim comparing the mentions of Israel and Palestine in the Koran.
The post stated “Israel is mentioned 43 times in the Koran. Meanwhile, Palestine is not mentioned at all.
“Every piece of archaeological evidence – maps, documents, coins, links the land of Israel to the Jews as the original inhabitants of that land.”
The post was later deleted the same day.
Minister Shanmugam said Monday (March 25) he was “very upset” when he found out about the post.
He explained that the Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs notified the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs which then informed the Israeli embassy that the post must be immediately deleted.
“The post is wrong,” said Shanmugam. “Firstly, the statement is insensitive and inappropriate. It risks endangering our security, safety and harmony in Singapore.
“We look after the safety of everyone in Singapore – the majority and minorities” including Jews and Muslims, he said.
The 64-year-old minister continued that posts like this could “inflame tensions and could threaten the safety of the Jewish community in Singapore”.
“The anger from the post has the potential to spill over into the physical realm.”
ISRAEL EMBASSY: UPLOAD WITHOUT PERMISSION
An Israeli embassy spokesperson said the post was uploaded without consent and the person responsible had been punished.
“The Israeli Embassy respects racial and religious harmony in Singapore,” the spokesperson said.
“We have taken action against the people involved.”
The embassy cited “security reasons” for not disclosing the name or position of the person concerned.
“However, we can confirm that the social media posts that have been published were made without the necessary approvals and the person responsible has been severely punished and will face internal disciplinary action,” the spokesperson said.
Speaking at an iftar session at the Khalid Mosque in Joo Chiat on Monday evening, Shanmugam said he was aware of the Israeli embassy’s clarification.
“They didn’t know it, someone posted it, and they will take strict action against the person who posted it,” he said.
“This is good because they accept that the post was wrong and should never have been posted.”
“AN EXTRAORDINARY EFFORT TO CHANGE HISTORY”
The Singapore government has conveyed its views about the Facebook post “very clearly” to the Israeli embassy, Shanmugam said.
“It is wrong to politicize religious texts. This is compounded by the Israeli embassy using the Koran for this purpose.”
Minister Shanmugam also called the post an “extraordinary attempt to change history”.
“The author of the post should look at UN resolutions, see whether Israel’s actions in recent decades have been consistent with international law, before trying to change history.”
However, Shanmugam stressed that the Singapore government did not intervene with the post because of this, but because of the possible consequences for different communities in Singapore.
He added that embassies can issue statements that the government does not agree with, and that usually the government does not intervene because embassies represent sovereign countries.
“They have autonomy. But if it affects the safety and security of Singaporeans, the peace and harmony that we enjoy, we will intervene.”
CNA has asked Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs whether any further action will be taken against the author of the post.
